Watermelon 5K, Chicken Fried 10K on Saturday
The Melonvine Striders running club serves juicy chilled melon to racers who complete their annual Watermelon 5K.
Perennially part of Hope’s Watermelon Festival and the Arkansas Grand Prix series, the 3.1-mile footrace will start at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, where it usually does: near the Fair Park gate to Hope’s city park at Fulton Street and Park Drive.
While there are gradual ups and downs, the race course is generally level. This might make it easy but doesn’t seem to, possibly because … well, because August. But summer’s not always a skillet, and race director Don Still says he’s hoping for cooler than usual weather.
What’s usual? Forget average highs. Average highs are afternoon readings. According to Intellicast, the average low for Aug. 11 in Hope is 69 degrees. So, watermelon! Also, the pool will be open for showers and swimming.
Online 5K registration costs $25 (add $2.50 because … websites), and is open until midnight Friday at runsignup. com.
A spectator-friendly Melon Mile race for children follows the 5K at 8:45 a.m. Online registration costs $8 (add $2).
Race-day registration — $30 for adults, $25 for ages 18 and younger, $10 for the Melon Mile — will be open from 6 to 7 a.m. near the starting line.
Pro tip: Shake the sand off your shoes before climbing into the car for the drive home.
Still can answer race questions at (870) 777-1917 or still1@sbcglobal.net.
More than halfway through this year’s Grand Prix, the Little Rock Roadrunners male and female teams are leading the state’s other running clubs. But the women’s competition is close, with the Searcy Rush and Conway running clubs hot on the Little Rock women’s heels. More information is at arkrrca.com.
Bigger Chickens to Fry
While hundreds of runners are lining up in Hope, 60 or so others will be trotting toward Mount Nebo. The River Valley Runners will conduct their rather uphill footrace as part of the Dardanelle Area Chamber of Commerce’s 71st annual Mount Nebo Chicken Fry.
The Chicken Fried 10K begins at 7 a.m. Saturday beside the Dollar General store on Rock Street in Dardanelle (1242 Arkansas 22) and winds its way up the big mountain. It’s a 6.2-mile route with some pleasantly rolling hills in the first 3.5 miles … followed by the uphill, which is not pleasant, unless you enjoy about 1,500 feet of gain.
In 2017, organizer Michael Witt described it as “2.5 miles of torture” but, hey, the final two-tenths is flat. Finishers medals await at the top, and awards for the overall fastest man and woman and the fastest male and female masters.
Witt says, “It is a hard race. I don’t recommend it for those that haven’t trained for it.”
Also, the road will be open to auto traffic.
Registration is online at runsignup.com for $25 plus $2.50 until 6 p.m. Friday. Raceday registration, in the parking lot at Nebo Road and Rock Street, opens at 6 a.m. and will cost $30.
Besides the running, the Chicken Fry festival includes a trail hike for kids on the Rim Trail and contests in log sawing, horseshoes, Baggo, chicken calling …
Why would chickens agree to come when called during a chicken fry?
Family aglow
As Saturday winds down and hopefully cools off, Benton Parks and Recreation and the Saline County Striders will host a new evening of noncompetitive running and walking for families. The Back to School Family Glow Run will hustle around the River Center from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday.
Wear your glowing gear to compete for the best costume prizes. Music, refreshments and snacks as well as glowing accessories will be provided.
Children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Online registration is at apm.activecommunities. com/bentonrec for $10 until Wednesday. That doesn’t include a souvenir shirt: Limited sizes will be available for $5.
Day-of registration is $15 at 7 p.m. in the River Center lobby, 1800 Citizens Drive in Benton. The fun run will start at 8 p.m. and has two lengths, 1.5 mile or 2.5 miles. Go as far as you feel like going.
More information is available by calling (501) 776-5970.
Eurekan
The Eurekan — Eureka Springs Multisport Festival — includes a triathlon, bike rides and footraces Friday, Saturday and Sunday at or about Eureka Springs.
There is no race-day registration for any of the events. Participants can sign up in person for the bike rides and running events from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks in Eureka Springs. Otherwise, head to runsignup.com and search for “Eureka Springs Multisport.”
Detailed info for each event is under links at the bottom of the page.
The sprint-distance tri on Holiday Island Recreation Center is 2 p.m. Friday. Racers will swim 300 yards, bike 6 miles and run 2 miles. Online registration costs $75 (plus a $5.85 website fee) until 4 p.m. Thursday.
Saturday morning brings road bike tours called Gran Fondos that begin at the old Victoria Inn and end at the city courthouse, 44 S. Main St. Available distances are 21 ($55), 62 ($75) and 100 miles ($75). Aid stops will be stocked with energy bars and gels, water, electrolyte drinks, fruit, bananas as well as homebaked goodies. Online registration closes at 5 p.m. Friday.
Sunday morning, a 5K footrace begins at 7:30 at the courthouse followed at 7:45 by a 10K. Race awards will go three deep in five-year age divisions and there are onetwo-three overall awards for the fastest male and female finishers. Registration costs $30 plus a $3 fee for either event.
There are also combination registrations that carry their own awards: the Half or Full Eurekan.
Race promoter Bruce Dunn is at (479) 521-7766 or bruce@ allsportsproductions.com.